Two balloons break free from a vendor's colorful bunch, and, in the spirit of all good runaways, head for the big top. They help the clown get laughs, water the elephants, save the trapeze artist who misses his swing, dole out popcorn to the spectators, and make the strong man look good, among other activities. Then, unexpectedly, they get blown out of the sky when the human cannonball catches them in the wrong place at the wrong time. The balloons plop to the floor. Not to worry. The vendor spots them, gives them an infusion of helium, and they rejoin their clutch of comrades. Schumaker (Dance!, 1996) keeps the story lighthearted; even the downing of the balloons provokes little concern as things seem bound to turn out right. The opening and closing pages of the book can be read or sung to ``Sing a Song of Sixpence'': ``Sing a song of circus:/The circus comes to town,/And in it are ten elephants,/six lions, and a clown,'' while in the middle of the book, the balloons narrate the adventures they hope to have. Schumaker's seven-color, hand- separated illustrations are pleasingly active yet minimal, with all the bustle expected at the circus, further energized by the swirling strings attached to the balloons. Is a sequel in the works? On the last page, the two balloons have escaped again. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: April 1, 1997
ISBN: 0-15-201363-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1997
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A feel-good picture book and a great reminder that classic princess roles can be reimagined to embrace inclusion, diversity,...
A little black girl holds true to her dream that on the theater stage you can be whatever you want—even if it’s Snow White.
Tameika is a bubbly, outgoing singer and dancer who loves the stage. She has played various roles, such as a cucumber, a space cowgirl, and a dinosaur, but never a princess. This charming tale tackles the complex subject of biases around race and body image when Tameika overhears her classmates’ whispers: “She can’t be Snow White”; “She’s much too chubby”; “And she’s too brown.” Tameika goes on a journey of self-acceptance as she grapples with her feelings about wanting to be a princess. Glenn’s playful, animation-inspired digital art will enchant readers as it immerses them in Tameika’s vivid imagination. New fans may seek out her previous work in Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow’s Mommy’s Khimar (2018) and Michelle Meadows’ Brave Ballerina (2019). The vibrant colors and active compositions enhance the story, reflecting Tameika’s changing emotions and her interactions with her parents, whose positive affirmations help give Tameika the courage and self-love to remember how much joy she gets from performing. For kids who like to imagine themselves being anything they want to be, it is reassuring to be reminded that it’s not exterior looks that matter but the princess within.
A feel-good picture book and a great reminder that classic princess roles can be reimagined to embrace inclusion, diversity, and body positivity. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 9, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-06-279860-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: March 26, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A poignant reminder that quiet kids often have richly resonant inner lives.
A seemingly withdrawn child actively engages with the world.
“People call me Quiet Karima like it’s my first and last name.” But while the rest of the world chatters away, Karima is watching and listening. Karima’s “ears seek rhythm and beat”—the sounds of the softly falling rain, the scrabbling of squirrels’ paws, and the almost imperceptible noises made as Mama rolls rotis. The nearby park is a “symphony,” filled with the sounds of leaves whirling, bicycle wheels rolling, and shoes hitting the pavement. Most people don’t notice Karima’s observational bent—except for Mrs. T, who works at the music store. The two of them appreciate the treasures that Karima has collected—“a box, a can, a pair of chopsticks”—before gathering up the shop’s drums and turning the store’s silence into joyous noise. In the ensuing rhythms, Karima transforms, too: a little bit quiet, a little bit loud, but always Karima. This rhyming picture book is filled with lyrically crafted lines and sweetly professed feelings. Featuring textured backgrounds, the watercolor, ink, and colored pencil illustrations have an appealingly childlike, intimate feel, capturing intangibles such as the sounds Karima so loves, as well as the child’s complex emotions. The book’s message—that shy or introverted young people needn’t change who they are—comes through clearly. Mrs. T and Karima are brown-skinned; Karima is cued South Asian.
A poignant reminder that quiet kids often have richly resonant inner lives. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Oct. 8, 2024
ISBN: 9780593205099
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2024
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